Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 205:
Description
Grant Indian Peace Medal, 1871, with beaded hide pouch. U.S. Mint Indian Peace Medal of Ulysses S. Grant (Julian IP-42), designed by Anthony C. Paquet and dated 1871 on the reverse. Obverse: bust right, campaign motto "LET US HAVE PEACE." above the head, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and LIBERTY JUSTICE AND EQUALITY around, the rim a circle of tomahawks and peace pipes. Reverse: a globe labeled AMERICAN CONTINENT under an open HOLY BIBLE, farm tools and a flag at the sides, stars around the edge, legend ON EARTH PEACE / GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN. Grant’s 1868 acceptance phrase was cut into official silver at the moment his administration was pushing the "peace policy" on the Plains-agencies, rations, and new treaties after the Fetterman fight and before the Red River and Black Hills wars. Original presentation medals were silver; this piece has the even gilt or bronze-gilt surface of a collector or later striking, with the small hole at the base of the bust for a thong. Offered with a small hide pouch in the Plains style: sinew-sewn, seed-beaded flap in yellow, dark blue and light blue stepped triangles, bone or antler button, white bead edging, tie thongs. Pouch clean and complete; medal bright with sharp lettering. A late presidential peace medal-the slogan, the Bible-and-globe reverse, and a working bag of the sort that traveled with such gifts.
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